Football fans greet past, future

Nov. 23, 2012

The Millville Thunderbolts raise up The Daily Journal Victory Cup after their 48-8 triumph in the annual Vineland vs. Millville rivalry game held at Gittone Stadium in Vineland on Thanksgiving Day. / Staff photo/Cody Glenn

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VINELAND — No matter what side fans sat on during the Vineland-Millville high school Thanksgiving football game, they left with a reason to be thankful during the teams’ historic 141st Turkey Day meeting.

The Millville Thunderbolts kept the bright lights of the Gittone Stadium end-zone scoreboard blinking with touchdown after touchdown.

Their 48-8 victory entitled them to carry home The Daily Journal trophy and bragging rights for yet another year.

But the Fighting Clan broke their two-year Thanksgiving scoreless streak, squeezing in a touchdown with just about two minutes left in the game.

The Thanksgiving game is more than just a date on the game schedule. It’s the annual milestone to reflect on glory days past and those yet to come.

Michelle Stiles was hawking game programs at the side entrance gate. For about 10 years, high school football has been her family’s Thanksgiving tradition. It started when her son, Calvin Stiles, was a 9-year-old Vineland Midget Football League player and wanted to see where he would play one day.

Now, Calvin Stiles, at 6-foot tall and 205 pounds, was on the field for his final game. The VHS senior graduates this year and plans to head off to college. That left his mom wondering what next year’s Thanksgiving will be like.

Thinking a few minutes, Michelle Stiles thought about her son.

“We’ll probably be back here,” she said. “This is his home.”

Those who once played the game tend to migrate back to spend four quarters remembering when and cheering those who follow them.

Xavian Jackson, of the MSHS Class of 2012, was met by his classmates and football colleagues Chris Whitelam and Tyler Gandy, all wearing their team jackets. They watched this year’s team and greeted familiar faces.

Jackson looked over the team, but didn’t see his number 66 anywhere on the field.

Was it retired after he left?

Jackson grinned, deeming that unlikely.

And there are those who are waiting for their day to come.

Two-year-old John Paul Barreca of Vineland, his gait a little unsteady in his new boots, entered wide-eyed.

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This was his first-ever football game.

His mom, Daphne Barreca, noted it was her first game too, but she thought her son would like it.

“He loves any sport with a ball,” she said, with her friend eager to make John Paul’s first game a fun one.

“Let’s go find you a cow bell,” she said.

Stephen Lewis Sr., 30, was picturing the day when his namesake son would be on the field for Vineland High School.

Stephen Lewis Jr., 9, is a standout in the Vineland Midget Football League, according to his dad. This year, the younger Lewis was his team’s quarterback.

Lewis sees potential in his young son.

A nod to the uneven score, he said, “They could have used him today.”

The Vineland loss means some friendly wagers will have to be paid.

Vineland Mayor Robert Romano will have to wear a Thunderbolts jersey after losing his annual bet with Millville Mayor Tim Shannon. Usually, the mayors spend one half on each side of the stadium. But Romano was left to watch without his mayoral counterpart. Shannon suffered an knee injury Wednesday and sent his regrets that he was unable to attend.

Procopio was so confident of a win, she didn’t ask McCann his preferred brew knowing she would not have to buy it.

Procopio may be a die-hard MSHS fan, but the man sitting next to her in the stands was a 1975 VHS grad. Her husband, Tony, graciously agreed to sit with Bolts fans, although his wife stressed that was not a condition of their wedding vows.

Rico Miles, member of the 2009 MSHS squad, sat in the spacious home bleachers noting the visitor’s side was pretty packed.

He remembered getting pumped up for the Thanksgiving game.

“You’re giving 100 percent, you want to win,” he said, explaining the rush of adrenaline. Once a player raced onto the field, he said, things then shift to slow.

Miles was wishing he was on the field again.

But he was content to watch his little brother, Robert Ennis Jr., score four touchdowns.

That was the result of one thing, the proud big brother said.

“A lot of hard work,” he said.

Such a great game could result in a lot of bragging over Thanksgiving dinner.

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